Carol Cravens

Carol Cravens is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. At age 11, she was accepted into advanced study with Bomar Cramer (1900-1974) where she began intensive training as a pianist including a thorough focus on piano technique. Ms. Cravens won first prize in both the Wichita Falls, Texas and Tyler, Texas Young Artist Piano Concerto Contests, performing the Grieg Piano Concerto in numerous youth concerts and subscription series concerts with the Wichita Falls Symphony Orchestra and the Tyler Symphony Orchestra. She was also a finalist in the Midland-Odessa Piano Concerto Competition. Ms. Cravens was selected to perform recitals at the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts sponsored by Mu Phi Epsilon Alumnae and Dallas Art Association. As a collaborative pianist, Ms. Cravens has performed and coached soloists for recitals, competitions, and college auditions. While at Oberlin, Ms. Cravens won the highly competitive Bezazian Full Merit Scholarship. Her study at Oberlin was with world-renowned pianist John Perry, Professor Emeritus at USC Thornton School of Music, and Jack Radunsky (1909-1995), a highly regarded piano pedagogue who studied with pianist/composer Percy Grainger, followed by study at Columbia University and Juilliard. Ms. Cravens’ education at Oberlin focused on piano performance and piano pedagogy. While serving as Arts in Education Chair for the Richardson ISD Council of PTAs, Ms. Cravens received the 1998-1999 Texas PTA Life Membership bestowed by RISD Council, one of the highest honors presented to individuals for outstanding service to children and youth. As an enthusiastic piano teacher, Ms. Cravens’ students have excelled in their musical endeavors. While teaching privately in New York, she took pride in taking young beginner piano students to a high level of achievement allowing them to be accepted into prestigious local music conservatories. She is skilled with teaching young beginners and intermediate students as well as coaching advanced students. Sharing a wealth of study, she hopes to inspire and educate young piano students and encourage their interest in music at higher levels in their educational journey. Ms. Cravens remains most inspired by her two children who achieved their highest goals in education. Her son earned a Masters of Medicine at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Her daughter earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Flute Performance and holds four college degrees in Flute Performance.